Essential Concepts in Sociology

Anthony Giddens, Philip W. Sutton (Autoren)

Buch | Hardcover

248 Seiten

2026 | 4th edition
Polity Press (Verlag)
978-1-5095-7416-2 (ISBN)

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Social life is in a constant process of change, and sociology can never stand still. As a result, contemporary sociology is a theoretically diverse enterprise, covering a huge range of subjects and drawing on a broad array of research methods. Central to this endeavour is the use of core concepts and ideas which allow sociologists to make sense of societies, though our understanding of these concepts necessarily evolves and changes.

This clear and jargon-free book introduces a careful selection of essential concepts that have helped to shape sociology and continue to do so. Going beyond brief, dictionary-style definitions, Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton provide an extended discussion of each concept which sets it in historical and theoretical context, explores its main meanings in use, introduces relevant criticisms, and points readers to its ongoing development in contemporary research and theorizing.

Organized in ten thematic sections, the book offers a portrait of sociology through its essential concepts, ranging from capitalism, identity and deviance to the digital revolution, environment, postcolonialism and intersectionality. It will be essential reading for all those new to sociology as well as anyone seeking a reliable route map for a rapidly changing world.

Anthony Giddens is the former director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Life Fellow of Kings College, Cambridge, and a member of the House of Lords, UK. He is a very influential sociologist and social theorist, and his many books include The Third Way and The Consequences of Modernity. Philip W. Sutton is an independent researcher formerly of the University of Leeds and Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

Introduction

Theme 1 Thinking Sociologically
Digital Revolution
Globalization
Modernity
Postcolonialism
Postmodernity
Rationalization
Society

Theme 2 Doing Sociology
Ideal Type
Qualitative/Quantitative Methods
Realism
Reflexivity
Science
Social Constructionism
Structure/Agency

Theme 3 Environment and Urbanism
Alienation
Environment
Industrialization
Migration
Risk
Sustainable Development
Urbanism

Theme 4 Structure of Society
Bureaucracy
Capitalism
Consumerism
Division of Labor
Education
Organization
Religion

Theme 5 Unequal Life Chances
Class
Gender
Intersectionality
Patriarchy
Poverty
Race and Ethnicity
Social Mobility
Status

Theme 6 Relationships and the Life Course
Community
Family
Life Course
Network
Sexuality
Socialization

Theme 7 Interaction and Communication
Culture
Discourse
Identity
Ideology
Interaction
Media
Public Sphere

Theme 8 Health, Illness and the Body
Biomedicine
Medicalization
Sick Role
Social Model of Disability
Social Self

Theme 9 Crime and Social Control
Anomie
Deviance
Labelling
Moral Panic
Social Control
Stigma

Theme 10 Political Sociology
Authority
Citizenship
Conflict
Democracy
Nation State
Power
Social Movement

Erscheint lt. Verlag	27.3.2026
Verlagsort	Oxford
Sprache	englisch
Themenwelt	Sozialwissenschaften ► Soziologie
ISBN-10	1-5095-7416-6 / 1509574166
ISBN-13	978-1-5095-7416-2 / 9781509574162
Zustand	Neuware